Man Magnum August 1, 2015

READERS PHONING Magnum’s offices in future will miss the dulcet tones of Elizabeth (‘Liz’) Howard-Davies in her usual place at the switchboard and handling orders for binders or back-issues. Liz and book-keeper Eirlys Edmunds recently retired. Their combined years of service with Magnum probably add up to nigh on half a century. Liz’s late husband, Tudor, was Magnum’s editor from 1982 to 1987. Liz joined our staff in 1994, and soon became a factotum whose job included being secretary to yours truly. Tudor had been a professional hunter prior to joining MAN- Magnum, so Liz’s safari background stood her in good stead for her job here. Having a secretary whom I could ask to search our photo library for a pic of a tsessebe or a lechwe, and who…

I HAVE WRITTEN before of the days when I lived in the Kazungula area, just east of Kasane, where the Chobe National Park begins. This is where the north-eastern point of Southern Rhodesia, the eastern point of Botswana, the south-eastern point of Caprivi and the western border of Zambia all converge at the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe rivers. In the old days, this area was a bit like the historically famous ‘Crooks Corner’ at the junction of Mozambique, Rhodesia and South Africa (northeastern corner of the Kruger Park), the hunting grounds of the notorious poacher Bvekenya Barnard of Dhlulamithi fame described by author TV Bulpin in The Ivory Trail, and by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick in Jock of the Bush-veld. It got its name because criminals and poachers could…

Ethical Hunting I have been a professional hunter in Namibia, and both my wife and I have been hunting outfitters for many years. I have been an avid Magnum reader for many years. We have old Magnums lying around everywhere in the lodge and our clients love reading them. Many a conversation around the camp fire has stemmed from an article in one of the old magazines. However, two remarks in your January 2015 edition prompted me to offer my five cents worth. Firstly, I do not agree with the statement that clients get ‘conned’ into thinking they are hunting wild lions on the farms in South Africa. I have many friends who are hunting outfitters in South Africa, and I attend the same gun and hunting shows in the…

READING THE WORDS ‘Ruger’, ‘pistol’ and ‘rimfire’ in the same sentence, most shooters, understandably, might think of that company’s Mark III pistol. Known as the ‘Standard’ pistol since its introduction in 1949, the Mark III has set the standard for high-quality but affordable .22 auto-loaders. The Mark III became popular for serious target shooting and – the most important role of any .22 firearm – plinking. Shortly after the ‘plastic revolution’ struck, Ruger introduced their .22/45 pistol. It utilized a Mark III receiver and barrel mated to a Zytel polymer frame with removable grip panels, and simulated the shape and feel of a 1911 pistol. The Mark III and .22/45 are large pistols, weighing between 0.88kg and 1.3kg. This makes them less than suitable for smaller shooters or for use…

A COLD FRONT was blowing in from the south and the icy wind on the Free State plains was unpleasantly strong. I love hunting, but on a day like this, I would rather have been at home. However, I had a ration quota to fill, so I headed for a certain sheltered valley, hoping to find some animals hiding there from the wind. AT THE VALLEY entrance stood a couple of strangely twisted Karee trees. Leaving my bakkie, I took my rifle and shooting sticks and set off. It was like stepping into a different world: the open grass plains gave way to stands of taaibos and sweet thorn trees, and the wind, while still strong, had lessened noticeably. Within ten minutes I saw something white. My binoculars revealed it…

RIFLE BAGS AND CASES have been around for a long time but in recent times these necessary items have undergone marked development to meet the needs of hunters and sport shooters with specific requirements. The humble rifle bag has undergone several changes, firstly from a rough canvas sleeve to a padded bag with a zipper, then on to a multi-purpose container with a military heritage. Current day rifle bags reflect new designs in camouflage and some now accommodate shooting accessories such as magazines, ammunition and other necessities in additional pouches. The most important development in the gun case industry is the construction material which has changed from the traditional wood and leather to near indestructible designs in aluminium and modern plastics. That said, there still are some tried-and-tested traditional rifle…